Getting Ready For Sunday Worship

It is my daily practice to pray for the churches for which I have Episcopal responsibility. On Fridays, I typically ask God to be present with each congregation as the pastor and people prepare for Sunday worship. It is appropriate that God’s people anticipate the Sunday worship experience.

The psalmist in Psalm 122 anticipates his coming worship experience. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’! Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.” [Verses 1, 2] This verse is freighted with anticipation and expectation on the part of the psalmist. Not only does the psalmist anticipate an invitation to worship, he expects to have an awesome worship experience.

I confess that since childhood, I have been a person who appreciates the Sunday worship experience. What is it that makes the Sunday worship experience so important and special? First, it is the fellowship with other pilgrim disciples. Second, it is the inspiration that comes from congregational singing, the reading of the scripture, and the proclamation of God’s Word. Third, it is the power of the prayers by the people and the pastor. All of these dynamics make for a joyous worship celebration on Sunday or any day of the week.

Perhaps the most important factor in good worship is the attitudes of the individual worshippers.

Gracious God, I pray that your Holy Spirit would prepare us daily to worship you. Transform our poverty of spirit into an oasis of faith, hope and love. Prepare us to be a sanctuary for our God. Amen